August 30: Jazeera Airways of Kuwait is set to operate flights at Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) on a daily basis from September 16, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

At present, the airways has been conducting three flights a week at the airport (on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays) since it started direct commercial flights between Nepal and Kuwait in May. The airline has completed the due process for commercial flights, said CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula.    
According to the airlines, additional flights have been announced, thanks to the increasing occupancy rates. The airline company is operating flights to and from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Europe.    
At present, only Jazeera Airways has been granted permission to operate flights at the newly-built airport that came into operation since May 16, said Niraula, adding that other airlines have also shown interest to operate flights at the airport which is strategically important from the view of religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha.    
Wizz Air, a Hungarian airline, is also scheduled to operate flights to and from the airport starting from October 30, said Niraula. The flights will take place between Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates and Nepal three days a week.    
At present, 26 airlines including three Nepali companies have been conducting international flights at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Before COVID-19, over 30 airlines were operating international flights, said Niraula.    
However, the international flights that were marred by the global COVID-19 have been gradually returning to normalcy. Now, there are 70 percent occupancy rates under international flights, added Niraula. -- RSS